Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is the simplest alcohol with the chemical formula CH3OH. It is a light, volatile, colorless, and flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odor similar to that of ethanol. Methanol is highly soluble in water and alcohols, but only slightly soluble in fats. It is used industrially as a solvent, antifreeze, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol. Methanol is also a precursor to formaldehyde and other chemicals. In the context of food and spices, methanol is not typically found naturally in significant amounts, but it can be a byproduct of fermentation processes. Due to its toxicity, methanol is not used directly in food products. Ingestion of methanol can lead to serious health effects, including metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances, and even death.